So i'm a 3rd year student and I'm already freaking out about scheduling my electives for 4th year. I am heavily leaning towards going into anesthesiology but honestly I don't really have a very strong feeling about any one specialty at this point. Luckily I have decent board scores (usmle - 240's, comlex - upper 600's) so I feel like I would be fairly competitive in a lot of fields. It's all becoming very overwhelming realizing that I need to basically choose in the next few months what I want to do for the rest of my life. Anyways, I go to a DO school and we essentially get to plan out all of our rotations (total of 10) during our 4th year with a few restrictions. Basically, I was hoping to get some input on what would be the most beneficial rotations to schedule (assuming I do go into anesthesiology). What would best prepare me for intern year and anesthesiology residency? 😕
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4th year electives
Started by gochiefs
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deleted126335
The common advice is to take electives like cardiology, pulmonary, ICU, ER. It is correct. But you will be studying these disciplines for the rest of your career.
There is also value to branching out. Best learning month for me was Oncology, really sick patients, really accomplished physician educators. I would also consider neurology. Most anesthesiologists (myself included) are lousy in this discipline and can barely perform a decent exam. Consider ENT as well.
Avoid things like optho, path, derm, rad onc, urology. Some value to radiology.
There is also value to branching out. Best learning month for me was Oncology, really sick patients, really accomplished physician educators. I would also consider neurology. Most anesthesiologists (myself included) are lousy in this discipline and can barely perform a decent exam. Consider ENT as well.
Avoid things like optho, path, derm, rad onc, urology. Some value to radiology.
I agree with all of this. I cannot emphasize how important having a strong cardio foundation is for career in anesthesia. I did a rotation in nephrology, which I found to be a gem -- electrolyte imbalances, fluid management, physical exam, and assessment of the patient as a whole.
Useful advice. Thanks, I now see the added value of neuro and cardio (especially cardiac ICU) for anesthesia. But why are the oncologists considered accomplished physician educators compared to other specialists?
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deleted126335
If you are committed to the specialty, the only anesthesia electives I would do as an MS4 are audition electives at programs that I am seiously interested in. Ideally ONE.
Maybe one other at your home institution to get the letter of reccomendation if you think it necessary.
This is your last chance to stretch out from the traditional comfort zone.
